Michael D. Barber

Attorney

Michael D. Barber is a litigation attorney focused primarily in the areas of personal injury litigation and education law litigation.

Mr. Barber’s education law practice includes defending students who are accused of disciplinary violations, representing students in Title IX investigations, litigating federal lawsuits for violations of Title IX, representing disabled students to ensure they receive proper academic accommodations, and litigating on behalf of disabled students in federal courts for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Mr. Barber was born and raised in Winter Park, Florida. He graduated from Winter Park High School, attended the University of Central Florida for his undergraduate studies, and obtained his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. While at UF Law he was elected as the Magister of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honors Fraternity for two consecutive years.

Mr. Barber began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Orange County, Florida. Mr. Barber gained valuable litigation experience at the State Attorneys Office where he litigated 60 trials, ranging from misdemeanors to murder charges. Mr. Barber transitioned into private practice in 2013, and founded the Law Office of Michael D. Barber in 2019. Mr. Barber merged his practice with Colling Gilbert Wright in 2026 in order to provide even better service to his clients.

Throughout his career Mr. Barber has served in a variety of leadership positions in the legal industry. Locally, Mr. Barber served ten years on the board of the Orange County Young Lawyer Section, including serving as the Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the organization. Mr. Barber has also served on the board of the Orange County Bar Association since 2021, including serving as the Secretary and Treasurer of the organization. He has also served on the board of Orange County Legal Aid Society. On the State level Mr. Barber serves on a variety of Florida Bar committees, including the Education Law Committee, Advertising Committee, and Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Mr. Barber has also served on boards unrelated to the legal profession, including the inaugural board of Opera Orlando, and the board of the Downtown Orlando YMCA.

Mr. Barber has been recognized for his work in the legal field by his peers and bar leadership. In 2020, Mr. Barber was selected to become a fellow with the Florida Bar Leadership Academy. In 2022, Mr. Barber received the Orange County Young Lawyer Professionalism Award. He has been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell every year since 2019, recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer every year since 2015, and named by Florida Trend Magazine as a Florida Legal Elite in eleven different years.

In 2016 Mr. Barber ran for elected office and was elected as Orange County Soil and Water Supervisor for District 1. In March of 2019 he was elected by his fellow supervisors as Chair of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

Outside of work Mr. Barber enjoys spending time with his family, running, hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping, playing music, and traveling. Mr. Barber is an avid fan of Florida Gators football, the Orlando Magic, and Orlando City Soccer.

Education

University of Central Florida, B.A, 2008
University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 2011

Practice Areas

Personal injury
Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
Trucking Accident Cases
Uber/Lyft Accident Cases
Wrongful death
Negligent Security
Education Law
Title IX
Student Disability Rights

Court Admissions

Florida
U.S. District Court Middle District
U.S. District Court Southern District

Professional Associations

Orange County Bar Association
Florida Justice Association
Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association

Awards and Recognitions

Florida Trend Legal Elite
Florida Trend Legal Elite Up and Comer
Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
2022 Orange County Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award
2022 Orange County Bar Association Presidential Leadership Award
2021 Florida Bar Leadership Academy Fellow, Class XIII
2016 University of Central Florida Top 30 Alumni Under 30 Award
2016 Orange County Bar Association Outstanding Committee Chair Award
2016 Orange County Young Lawyer Section Award of Excellence